For those who are are Confused about Life ! ! !

Committing Same Mistakes Again!! My Take..

2009-11-19T07:22:00.004+05:30

Last day was thinking about that "Why people commit same mistakes again and again?" despite the fact we are capable of learning for our past experiences. I also got cofused as are mainly hedonists and thus will always try to reduce pain and maximise pleasure (and mind you mistakes involve pain and correcting them will be pleasurable) still fall to the same pit again and again. While ruminating over the issue, I had came to the few observation for this paradoxical behaviour of ours.

The fun of doing/committing that action is too much that it actually tempts us again and again.
Another reason may be that we had this faulty belief that we had actually learned from our past mistakes and thus now they will not commit the same mistake and yet when it actually comes to act same thing is commited.
Sometimes it happens that long time had passed since the last time we had committed "the mistake" and thus the pain/discomfort caused by the mistake has been partially/entirely forgotten.
In some cases there is a wrong assessment of current situation and we tend to perceive current situation as entirely different from the last time when we had committed the mistake. This makes the present situation less threatening/alarming and make us assume (though wrongly) that this time same behavioral reportarrie will lead to better results. Therefore, we believe that this time same behaviour of ours will lead to better results and wil not lead to mistake.
Lastly, same mistake is committed again because sometimes we tend to downplay (both consciously or unconsciously) the discomfort or pain caused by our mistake and thus we tend to deny the mistake as being mistake per se.

No doubt there can be other reasons for falling into same traps again and again but in the end idea is to understand the fallings and to make sense out of this confusing world.

Till then Keep Thinking...

Warriors will earn their Pride

2009-11-15T17:01:00.004+05:30

Since Long I was living my life as it came and had completely forgotten that what it had meant to be a Warrior, a Fighter. However a single incident in my Life had brought me back to my senses. The incident was very mundane on its outset. It involved a simple person, Swain. He was a member to my Athletic Meet Squad. He is a typical guy that longs for attention and generally does not get it. Everybody used to laugh on him, ridicule him and kind of bully him. I also thought that the guy is simply stupid.

I would have kept on thinking the same until when the athletic meet started. There he was willing to participate in every event and he became rather pushing. It annoyed most of us (including me). The situation became especially tense when he started to ask for participating in the Group Events (such as Relay Races). We all believed that this stupid attention seeker will embarrass us all "Cool and Confident Guys". However, he hard pressed and as most of us are also unwilling to go out and stick ours necks (we were so embarrassed to lose that we never wanted to participate even). So, though unwilling, we allowed him to compete. After all, we all believed that let him go out and be embarrassed as some more stupidity will not harm him.

But then strange and unbelievable thing happened. He not only participated but actually "competed". He ran with all his might and either brought the Lead or reduced the Lag. And he competed so fiercely, with his heart that it was both sobering and enlightening to all of us.
It was then we all realized what it takes to be a "Warrior" and believe me he ran for whole of the day and Competed, despite the fact other members of Relays were never able to match his HEART, Enthusiasm and Speed. Therefore we lost all the events yet he remained unflinching and kept on running similarly hard.

In evening when we all were gathering back to closing ceremony, he came back to squad, tired and exhausted. We were so humbled by his effort that everyone congratulated him. It then when I actually realized (though I knew it beforehand) that "Warriors will Earn their Pride".

I always wanted to bring the Glory to me and my family and I always did brought, through my sheer determination and Valor. However, since so long I had forgotten this simple strategy and started to seek Glory by acting smart rather than going out and winning it. But this guy had brought me back to my senses and had shown me that the only way one can earn real respect is by “fighting hard” and giving more than 100 percent of his ability.

Thanks Swain, for teaching me humility and bring home a very important point. I will always be indebted to you.

Long Live the Fighting Spirit.

A Rapist is becoming IAS as High Court thinks him Fit for the Job: What the Hell???

2009-02-12T17:56:00.003+05:30

While everybody is going nuts over the Valentine’s Day’s celebrations, they became so consumed with the debate that no discussion or protests are happening on so vital issues such as this one.

The Delhi High Court has set free a convict in a rape case, who made it to the civil services while undergoing life imprisonment in Tihar Central Jail here, by reducing his sentence to the period of five-and-a-half years he has already undergone. The court did so by stating that the convict has “redeemed” himself in the jail by qualifying in the Union civil services examination.At the time of commission of the crime, the convict, Ashok Rai, was giving tuitions to meet his expenditure.

The trial court had sentenced him to life imprisonment, holding him guilty of sexually assaulting his 21-year-old student. The victim had later committed suicide.

The prosecution had alleged that the victim had consented to have an intimate relationship with the accused as he had given her a false promise to marry. Setting the convict free, a Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Aruna Suresh said: “Rai has redeemed himself in jail is evident from the fact that he took his civil service examinations and qualified for being appointed to the Indian Administrative Service. We are of the opinion that the sentence already suffered by him would meet the ends of justice.”The Bench, however, upheld the charge of rape against Rai.

I am so deeply hurt by this incident as I myself is a civil service aspirant and think that this service is such a honor that only truly deserving candidates should be allowed to enter this service.

What hurts me more that not a single voice is raised by so called Moral Police or Enlightened Civil Societies. Is the future of India so bleak as we have to have a Rapist for the most esteem administrative post and can give him all powers to run our country as sooner or later this guy will get promoted to Secretary Level and will be formulating policies for future India.
Earlier it was politicians whom we had trusted and given responsibilities to shape our future despite their tainted past and as if that is not sufficient now we have Rapist IAS for running our nation.

Ironically there is a guy whom any sensible person will not have any contacts will be made in-charge of a district and who himself had raped a girl will be given responsibility to protect all citizens (including females) of a district. What a farce? Interestingly no one cares a damn about that. After all we are too busy fighting over other trivial issues such as sending “Pink Panties” and burning romantic cards. This issue seems too insignificant for our sensibilities and concern for civil rights. After all, the Girl is dead and the guy cleared the toughest exam so no one is complaining.

Now it means do whatever you want to do and then either win an election or clear an exam and all your sins will be pardoned if not by God then by the Judiciary or by the masses. If this is not Bullsh*t that what classifies as Bullsh*t is beyond my comprehension.

The High Court has assumed that qualifying for IAS means that the convict has reformed himself. However, an ability to study, and qualify for a Central service does not and cannot show that any such reform has taken place. As there have been several instances of rapists who have been highly educated, and have occupied responsible positions. The judgment reveals a patriarchal and class bias, and sets an extremely retrograde precedent.

So Long Live Indian Democracy…

Long Live Indian Hypocrisy…

And Let the India and Indian Culture perish (as now no one seems to really care)

Why Modern India need Shri Ram Sene and Why they should be supported?? Part 2

2009-02-12T15:22:00.003+05:30

On the other hand parents also wish for some agency that controls their kids’ behavior especially when kids are away from home under the excuse of some other activity. That is the reason why most of the parents are not complaining against the activities of SRS rather subtly approving their acts. There only complain is that acts of SRS are done under media glare thus bring bad name to their family. Similarly the youths are complaining not because their fundamental rights are being bartered rather because their secret rendezvous became exposed to their parents and their parents are getting to know all those secrets that they are hiding from them. This becomes evident as none of the so called victims of SRS’s activities are coming further to report them. Though the critics may argue that people are not reporting SRS acts as they are scared of them but then we have seen people rising and taking the big guns head on in the cases of Jesika Lal are similar cases.

Similarly the reluctance of Bureaucracy, politicians and judiciary to come for rescuing these victims also point out that the ideology of SRS and its classification of what is Indian and what is not, is not much objectionable to them. After all before being politician, Judges and police personnel, they are member of the society.

On the other hand this can also be argued that the Indian does not belong to boozing and flirting youth only. It belongs to the elderly generation also and if their sentiments get hurt by such an open and vulgar display of affection at public places. Now the question is that what right does a couple have to lie to their parents, have friendship with sexual connotations and act in a manner that is not acceptable to other fellow citizens.

By the way, why the hell every Indian youth want to blindly imitate the sexual life style of western world under the guise of modernity as they shies away when it comes to other modern values of non-discrimination, righteousness, honesty, democratic values, civic sensibilities etc. it the same pub-going and Valentine’s day celebrating youth that curses India for everything, does not vote, does not stand up and protest against all other important issues (except when their pubs are raided and Valentine’s Day celebrations are cancelled).

Ironically, after few years when today’s young victims will become parents then they will also oppose their kids’ pub going, late night parties and promiscuous behavior.

Basically it is the distorted notion of modernity; loosing parental control, increasing anonymity in cities etc are responsible for rise of such moral police that also has the tactical approval for their activities form a significant section of society.

Though SRS’s implementation style can be objected but not their significance and value in Indian culture, after all not matter how much we deny but we all know that what is Indian culture and pub going and pre marital courtship is not part of it.

Why Modern India need Shri Ram Sene and Why they should be supported?? Part 1

2009-02-12T14:19:00.008+05:30

There is huge outrage among the Indian media and intelligentsia regarding the barbaric actions of Shri Ram Sene as they had raided the Manglore pubs and had warned all not to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Their argument behind these actions is that they do not consider these activities as being according to Indian culture. Their actions was taken as an attack on citizens rights of freedom of expression, movement and association (Article 19 of Indian constitution) and Right to Life (Article 21). Though these actions of Shri Ram Sene are new yet the ideology they represent is not new at all. Since ages, there were people who had taken the responsibility for socializing the young ones and to reprimand those who show deviant behavior.

This SRS is criticized heavily as people believe that in free India every one has the right to go anywhere and do whatever as their whims and fancies allows. After all this is what freedom is all about. Above that, people think that any restrictions on their attitude and behaviors should be imposed through a legal agency that through in a fair manner.

However, let’s understand and appreciate that if the processes of socialization and social control are left to legal agencies only then they will become untenable as Law covers only a part of total behavior repertories rather than being all encompassing. For example, smoking cigarette after 18 years of age at one’s living place is legal yet no much of youngsters smoke at home. Similarly disobeying parents is not illegal yet looked down by the society and only societal pressures ensures that all those activities that are outside legal purview yet are improper should be controlled and restricted.

In the similar vein, drinking by youngsters, their skimpy cloths and pre-marital courtship (that includes more often then not, pre marital sex) is also condemned by our society though our legal system’s attitude towards such behavior is either permissible or silent. Personally I have not met any of the parents that would have allowed such behavior and that means that these behaviors are considered as being non-Indian by most of the elderly population of India.

In earlier times, these behaviors could be controlled by the parents as most of kids stayed with parents and respected their control. However, with the changing socio-economic scenario, joint family system is dying and thus most of the times parents are too occupied with their professional lives that they can not spare that much time with their kids. Apart from that kids are spending much of their times outside the confines of home thus parents can not check about their activities.

Growth of size of cities and resultant growing indifference of citizens towards other people’s lives had also provided the opportunity to youth to indulge in activities that are not sanctioned by the society. Therefore, present day life style of youths require some agency that plays the part of parental control and watch over the youth when they are away from the prying eyes of parents.

We all know that youth is that stage of life where precautions are ridiculed and risky behavior is the in-thing. They do thing which they may regret later in their lives as all their youthful acts may have bearing on their future lives. Remember the MMS incident of DPS girl where a single mistake of her life had ruined her future life. Similarly youth may do something that they may regret later and may wish that some body should have watched over them and should stopped them even by force to commit such a colossal stupidity.

Valentine's Day Part 2: Saffron Brigade's Anti Valentine's Day Agenda and Our Response

2009-02-11T17:50:00.002+05:30

The forces that oppose the cultural changes are a reality of all times, in case of physics they are clubbed under the concept of “inertia”. Whenever a change occurs there are and will be forces that strive for “status quo” as every change is uncomfortable (though the degree of discomfort differs). Most of the times these change resisting forces are comprised of those elements that either have a idealistic but distorted notion of Culture or have to loose immensely in the changed scheme of things.

They oppose this change are mainly dogmatic and narrow in their approach and believe that their version of Indian culture is the correct one and should be followed by all. They think that they had understood the Indian culture perfectly and all those that are not subscribing to their view are ignorant children and thus have to be socialized with a strong hand. They are not only undemocratic but also sadistic as they consider corporal punishment as being better than healthy discussion. When they are not beating up un-Indian couples, they can be found beating up their own children.

Their success depends on the resistance offered by the normal ordinary people. Therefore, they should be opposed not because they are wrong but because they consider themselves above the law and regulations. Here we have to be perfectly clear that no amount of healthy debate will change their world view as they understand only punishment. State has to take a tougher stand against them and has to have a “Zero-tolerance Policy”. The government has to understand that the Valentine’s Day is no more merely a day rather in case of culturally diverse nation like India; it has become a symbol of self expression and civil rights. In contemporary India it has become a symbol of freedom like the tricolor hoisting in the days of national independence movement. In both the cases the argument is “whether one should be dictated what one can do or can not do by the forces that do not have the popular mandate?”.

So let’s make it a matter of right rather than merely a day of Love and with this our responsibility increases many fold as then we have to ensure that this celebration of ours should not hurt any one’s sentiments and feelings. That means that “public display of affection” (PDA) such as hugging, kissing and fondling at public places should be avoided at any costs not because the “Saffron Brigade” had told us so but because that kind of behavior hurts sentiments of the older generation and this India and its public places are theirs also as much they are ours. Apart from that this kind of behavior will give those opposing forces an excuse to carry out their dubious politically motivated plans as PDA is considered as non-Indian by many of Indians and in that they are correct up to a level.
After all we want to spread love and not hatred. Any above all “My Freedom stops where other’s Freedom starts”

Love Live Democracy

Long Live Civil Rights.

Long Live Love

So, Long Live Valentine’s Day.

Valentine's Day Part 1: Symbol of Freedom of Expression

2009-02-11T17:22:00.005+05:30

14th February is considered as a day of love throughout the western world and as the influence of Western world over other parts of world is growing so as the blind imitation of their customs and festivals is increasing. For example, in India we celebrate 1st January as the New Year’s Day and had forgotten that when our own new year does begin. Similarly our own “Vasant Panchmi” had taken a back seat and now Valentine’s Day is our official Love Day.

This blind following is not unique as since ages the lower or minority class people had tried to emulate the customs, rituals, festivals and life styles of the people belonging to upper or dominant class. In ancient India this had happened under the concept of Sanskritization and now same thing is happening in case of Westernization of Indian Culture. However, now the moral police of India are objecting as this time they are finding themselves on the receiving end. They were not objecting rather considered it as a matter of pride when India had exported it culture to oriental countries under the guise of religion. The great Ashoka had sent his own children (Sanghmitra and Mahendra) to Shri Lanka for propagation of Buddhism and related culture.

So firstly we have to under and appreciate that culture is a fluid and dynamic concept that tries to evolve with time by adapting to elements of superior cultures. Influence of Greeks, Turks, Mughals etc on Indian culture can be categorized and understood in that regard. Therefore there is no surprise that those who regards Valentine Day as unethical (merely because it is not Indian) all also those who consider that all Muslims have allegiance towards Pakistan and thus all of them should be bundled together and deported to Pakistan. They have a false notion about Indian culture as Indian culture had withstood the tests of times mainly because it never shied away from adapting to and assimilating other cultures thus keeping itself grounded to ground realities. On the other hand Indian culture of which time shall be considered as Indian culture as India had different cultures at different times (the ancient, medieval and modern India had drastically different cultures).

By the way Culture means the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization so Indian culture is some total of the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of Indian society. Therefore, whether or not the Valentine day is part of Indian Culture can only be ascertained by observing the attitudes and behavior of Indian society and by the media coverage, celebrations, merchandises bought & sold and protests on 14th, anyone can decipher that Valentine’s Day is a reality in India. Now if we call this day as non-Indian can mean only three things:

We do not want to keep the culture static and rigid but that is antithetical to the very notion of culture.
We want to turn a blind eye towards changing attitudes and behaviors of Indian society.
All those who celebrate Valentine’s Day and are influenced by the western culture are enemy aliens.

However this discussion leads to few important questions

Who are those that are opposing these celebrations?
Why they are opposing these celebrations?
Will they be successful or should they be opposed?

Why the Comman Man is not Protesting Against Terror Attacks?????

2009-02-02T14:20:00.005+05:30

Hi Gaba,
Thanks for responding to my Comment.
The point raised by you has been encountered by me earlier also but I beg to stick to my argument and humbly counter you on Following Grounds:

The Aam Admi does not have that much resources where he can resist or raise voices in such a systematic manner and for that long so as to make it count. The Rickshaw wallas, the street vendors etc are not that deep pocketed so as to leave aside their daily wages for even a day and rather take the streets. This resource crunch of theirs had been, has been and will be the major reason that their view remains ignored despite their numbers.
The society is also made up off people with double standards who accord weightage to arguments not on the basis of their reason and logic but rather on the Basis of the Brand Names behind that Argument. For Example the security concerns expressed by Ratan Tata will be taken more seriously then the security concerns expressed by a tea vendor. That is the reason why candle marches of Page 3 Ladies are getting more media coverage and Blockades by commoners would have been treated as a mere Law and Order Problem.
The resistance of common people also becomes politicized (sooner or later) and then whole of our leadership will start fighting over either taking the credit or quashing the resistance.
Since the ages of apathy shown towards common man's cause, By the netas, common man had lost hope in the system and now he is just not interested any more.
As we have seen in case of Gurjur Agitation, even a just cause goes unnoticed unless the fight is too brutal and enough for attracting media. Here again media does not cover the real issue rather they show the loss of property and man lives in such a manner where the agitation is portrayed as a serious law and order problem. Thus again the real debate is overlooked.

So the commoner is not IMPOTENT, he is just not interested. And Brother if he will become real interested (with the help of proper leadership) then the battle will be bloody. So let us not call him to revolt against this decadent system...

Would we be so agitated, if the Terror Attacks would not have been at Taj?: Height of Double Standards

2009-02-01T18:12:00.003+05:30

According to so many people, it is the Kasab and Company's attack on us that has finally woke up as a nation but according to me if he and his friends have attacked any other place than Mumbai and that too Taj Hotel, this attack would have gone unnoticed like any other attack.

Only because the attack was on the place where who's who of india's financial capital hang out, first time they felt threatened by menace of terrorism. and first time they felt the fear that the citizens of J&K has felt since last 20 years.

Only then Mumbai people staged processions, dharnas, candle marches etc. Only then the well fed, Socialite, Page-3 Ladies came out the deliver the cliche dialogues.

I think that is the height of Double standards because when there were bomb blasts in Mumbai Locals then these ladies were not interested in the threat posed by terrorism. After all none of them or their friends and family members ever traveled or will travel by Locals.

Above all this frenzy of Media regarding reporting terror attacks has also shown us that until the heads of media comopanies and media mougals did not get their own outing places under threat, terror attacks were merely a news to them. However, now they are calling every aspect of security under suspicion.

Every channel and newspaper has treated the commandos as the real heroes, no denial to that but where were they when our army personnel die regularly in J&K. Were they lesser brave and heroic just because they save some impoverished Muslim in Kashmir???

Give me A Break...

So Long Live Indian Hypocrisy.....

Hindutva Brigade versus Kasab’s Case: Will we do the right thing?

2009-01-29T18:09:00.001+05:30

In legal world sometimes redundant & obvious things has to be done so as to maintain system and order. Same is the case with Kasab’s case. Even though his guilt has been proven beyond doubt yet his prosecution can not be any different from those whose guilt is yet to be proven. That is that system we have adopted where every suspect has to be given a fair trial to defend his position and present his side of story and only when both of the sides, i.e. prosecution and defense, are properly heard then only the verdict can be pronounced. This is the legal system we had inherited from Britishers. This system is based on the premise that “All men are equal and they are equally entitled for protection of law”.

Now in Kasab’s case Maharashtrian association of Advocates had decided not to take up his case and thus rendered him defenseless. This step of theirs is motivated partly by their distorted definition of patriotism and mostly by the fear of being by the Hindutva Brigade.

Hindutva Brigade and the group of vigilantes think that being Indian means being Hindu and every Indian tradition, belief and custom has to confirm to the Hindu ideology. In nutshell, “if it is not Hindu then it is not Indian”. Adding insult to the injury their Hindutva’s definition is the most distorted and biased definition as far as true Hindutva is considered. They refuse to accept Hindutva as defined by liberals or enlightened people rather they offer such a parochial version of Hindutva that is not much different from the Ladenian definition of Islam. Their “Har Har Mahadev” battle cry sounds almost identical to “Allah ho Akber” of so called Jihadis.

So they are imposing their ideology as if it is shared be all of the Hindus and present themselves as crusaders of Hindutva. However Hindutva is among the most tolerant and understanding ideologies of world. In this the dissenting voices are not only heard and protected but also respected (if they have any grain of truth or wisdom). That is the reason why rendering Kasab defenseless is the most heinous crime that our system can do. Remember the cases of all Revolutionaries during Indian freedom struggle were given a trial as well opportunity for defense (no matter how superficial it was in reality) by the almost despotic British regime. If Britishers had done that in past then why can not we set a great precedence and give the fellow a fair trial.

On the other hand we have to understand that Kasab is also a victim, victim of hate groups that had corrupted his mind and soul. That is why it is more important to give him a fair trail as this will give a strong message to both the Jihadi’s as well as Hindutva Brigade that we will stick to whatever is right and will act neither with hate nor with favour.

However, I know that it is not an easy task in a nation like India where fear monger run free but then the toughest task is the stick to the right thing even when everyone pressurizes you to loose your sanity and righteousness. That will be a befitting tribute to Gandhi and an appropriate answer to “hate-spreading groups”.

Slumdog Millionaire Controversy: Its time to throw away our hypocrisy

2009-01-29T17:36:00.003+05:30

Recently there is too much controversy going on in India regarding the movie and mainly there are two camps. One camp is of the supporters of the movie, who believes that the movie had brought glory to India and they are writing all praises for the movie. On the other hand there are group of people who think that this movie should be denounced as it portrays the westernized version of India rather than the actual shining India.

I humbly reject both of these camps as the “supporter camp” forgets that this is not an Indian movie per se rather it is an international movie that uses Indian storyline and some Indian artists as the theme is Indian. Thus all the accolades should belong to the foreign crew rather than to Indian film industry. On the other hand those who are crying foul for the movies as they complain that India is not that poor and downtrodden as depicted in the movie. They are the people who went overboard 5 years ago with their version of shining India despite the facts that in contemporary India the gulf between poor and affluent strata of society has actually increased.

Further I am a bitter critic of the “crying-foul camp” as they are the biggest hypocrites who would not have bet an eyelash if the same movie was made by some Indian. Their pain is that “how the hell one English man dares to show us mirror? Though India is “shining” and if there are some segments of society that feels left out then it should be an Indian who shall bring out their plight”.

What the hell? Are there two versions of truth? Shall we reject a truth as a conspiracy just because some outsider has threw it in out face? Come on morons, the degree to which a society is truly modernized can be measured by the degree of criticism and debate it can take as well as initiate. After all at the end of the day an only open and self criticizing society can say itself as a developed or developing society.

On the other hand, merely a movie and its depiction of India can not change the global understanding of “Indian phenomenon”. Dude, it is a movie. It has the creative liberty to tell whatever it seems entertaining. So hwy do not you all just shut up for a while and accept that despite all your pleas for general public about not to watch the movie, you had watch and enjoyed this flick.

Only by admitting our guilt and weakness, we stand a chance to grow and not by turning a blind eye to it and call it propaganda. It is same thing when our leaders label each act of terrorism as “perpetrated by foreign power” and thus loose an important opportunity to look inward and have a permanent solution for the menace by bring structural reforms.
So in the end, even if the movie had shown us a distorted and diabolical version of India, we should treat it an opportunity to change this misconception by ameliorating the problems of slums and slumdogs rather then fighting over whether or not the word slumdog exists in dictionary.

Its amazing as wel las ironical that years ago it was an foreigner who made an movie on our national father Gandhi and brought his story to us and now it is an another foreigner who had told us a story of one of us. I give a damn that he calls that character a “Slumdog”.

The Distorted defition of a "Good Person"

2009-01-28T17:41:00.003+05:30

Finally IAS mains exams are over and I have joined back to my "not-so-interesting" job. But then, a man has to earn his bread and butter. Now as I have come back to office thus my interaction with normal mundane earthlings has started and I have started to have a glimpse of their "World View".

Yesterday I was having a talk with my subordinates and they were talking to about the Area under my authority and in the same vein were trying to describe few of the people residing in that area. During their discussion, they had described few peoples as being Achchha Admi (Good Person). Their continuous labeling has made me think and abstract what exactly they were referring to. I realized that all those people who abide by the social mores, customs and sanctions are considered as “good persons”. The other qualifying qualities are, he should follow the social hierarchy and most importantly this “good man” should act in a manner that is beneficial to the other person who will later label the person as a “good man”.

In nutshell, in order to qualify as a “good man” one should not challenge any social phenomenon and should provide some benefit to the person. On the other hand, all those who question the decadent social customs, challenges the old, regressive and oppressive social hierarchy and act according to their reason and rational were labeled as “sanaki”, eccentric or sometimes as “social misfits”.

Thus through this the society exerts control on independent thinking as every one wants to called as “Good Person” even if that means sacrificing independent thinking as being a “social automaton”

Now the question is “is this a fair price, loose identity for being labeled as good?”

In my opinion, I’ll take my chances by being applying for a social misfit title rather then being a puppet in society’s hand.

Damn the Religious Gurus and Great Authors

2009-01-28T17:32:00.001+05:30

I am highly dissatisfied with all those “talk-shops” who call themselves as the intellectuals or otherwise. This dissatisfaction is highest in case of religious gurus who most of the times do nothing other than talking. After watching few of these gurus on various religious channels, I came to the conclusion that all that they do is:

Pick some story from the mythical text such as some episode from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Old/New Testament etc
Or take any story attached with Lord Rama, Shiva etc, Prophet Mohammad, Jesus etc
Mix it some philosophical mumbo-jumbo
Deliver it with Lots of Voice Modulation, Postures and Gestures

But nowhere have I seen any talk about concrete and structural change. They talk about how one should spent his rest of life in devotion and prayer, how one should respect the divine entities, how one should get detached from this world and related pleasures but nowhere they “lead by deed”. These gurus have life of Kings where they have Lofty Ashramas and Institutes, all the Luxuries that money can buy despite the fact that all this money is earn through teaching that calls for detachment from the material objects. Ironical but true.

This confuses me as what is the relevance of any teaching if it can’t bring any tangible change in life of others. In my opinion a true prayer should incorporate an “action tendency”. In other words every prayer should include some activity that helps in uplifting the downtrodden and provide help to needy. Any other form of prayer is just a “just verbal gymnastic” for me.

Similarly all those authors and writers who claim to bring out the plight of human race in eloquent manner are also useless group of intelligent people who use their knowledge to create different combinations of verbal utterances that means nothing except expressing something in which they themselves do not believe. They use their knowledge to label themselves as visionaries and all others as foolish and misguided lot who is too stupid to understand the deeper meaning of life and is fixated with acquiring comfort of life.
In my opinion both of these, gurus and Authors are criminals of humanity who not only waste their talent and time for “useless cognitive garbage” but also confuse and influence million of others by making them dissatisfied from their current form of “world view” without providing them any other practical and feasible “world view”.

To me, a true prayer involves bringing smile to the people who has nothing to feel good about and a true literature master piece creation occurs when something concrete and structural in put forward that can and should enhance the capacity of masses to feed, cloth and develop them.

Now the question is “what you think is right????”

May be TERRORISTS are not that Wrong!!!! Alternative Viewpoint

2009-01-28T17:09:00.003+05:30

In a democracy, the popular method to ventilate and express your demands as well as your grievances has to be within the constitutional boundaries and thus has to be peaceful. The basic assumption behind this line of argument is that in democracy the constitution as well as the government is formed by the people themselves thus should be obeyed, even while disobeying them. Therefore, all the activities that are extra-constitutional and illegal (not according the prevailing law) are considered wrong and inappropriate.

However, it is nowhere applied that these laws and constitution are correct or representative of the desire of the masses (for example in the British India, the laws and constitution were present but they represented the colonial interests rather than the Indian interests). Similarly, even the laws representing the wishes of majority can also not be blindly justified as they may represent the tyranny of the majority and can be used to repress or even exterminate the minority (remember the regime of Hitler over Nazi Germany where the Jews were lawfully and systematically butchered).

On the other side what options does any group of people when the enemy they are fighting is a systematic, organized, well-resourceful and determined state power (for example, the zanzaweeds of Darfur, Sudan) except raising arms and matching power with power. In earlier times of monarchy that would have meant revolution/rebellion against the monarch but in the democratic times terrorism is generally used as a strategy.

In democracy, government is responsible towards masses and thus by killing civilians and destroying their property, so called terrorists attempt to create popular pressure on the government to listen to their demands and later to accept them.

Even in India, revolutionary terrorism was an integral part of Indian national movement which had moved the masses and pressurized the government. The revolutionaries had assassinated various government officials, killed various white-civilians, organized robberies and destroyed public as well as private property. As back then both the weapons as well as planning mechanism were not so advanced thus the scope of operations was relatively small. Apart from that, we were passing through a nation building process as thus the revolutionaries were not that much enthusiastically supported. On the other hand, the so called “Islamic terrorism” has better weapons and communication, resources, sympathy among the fraternity (though this sympathy may be unreasonable or is due to illiteracy and/or poverty or feeling of alienation but sympathy it is) thus their scope or grotesqueness of their acts is much more. However, the question remains what our own revolutionaries would have done or how would have they been portrayed by the British media, if they would executed their missions in contemporary settings?

Nowhere am I trying to justify the terrorist acts though I am trying to provide an alternative viewpoint. As on the basis of its etymology, one can say that “terrorism” means a systematic advancement of intense fear (i.e. terror). However, fear is not something which can be used in the same way as a hammer or a knife. Fear, roughly speaking, is an affective response to a pending state of affairs which one wants not to occur. In order to get this response, one has to apply fear-provoking means. Since one of the main (if not the sole) means for provoking fear is violence (or threat to use violence),

Terrorism in a narrow sense is: the systematic use of fear-provoking violence, perpetrated either by a recognized state or by private individuals, in order to achieve political goals. Now in light of this understanding of terrorism, all the state activities that systematically use violence for obtaining political goals such as maintaining or extending authorities or quashing the dissenting forces/voices can also be called terrorism. My question is that, what options minorities have in case of such state sponsored terrorism except meeting force by force and as they are less organized and resourceful thus this force gets directed either towards soft targets such as civilians or high valued targets such as poiticians or taj hotel etc that yields them highest psychological and strategic returns then the resources required.
An act is a terrorist act if and only if

It is committed by an individual or group of individuals privately, i.e. without a legitimate authority of a recognized state;
It is directed indiscriminately against non-combatants;
The goal of it is to achieve something politically relevant by means of fear-provoking violence

Thus all the “collateral damage” done by the armed forces to the innocent civilians residing in the conflict-affected area, on the name of law enforcement can also be safely concluded as “acts of terrorism” and if they are justified than so as the terrorists (provided their cause is just like the cause of revolutionary terrorists) but as there is no neutral, open, honest and fundamental discussion is taken on terrorism and the terrorist demands, this issue will remain unresolved.

Apart from that, if the J&K people are willing and are ready the die for their “Azad Kashmir” then what moral right do we remaining Indian have over them to keep them within Indian fold? The laim excuses of better future are not sufficient as since ages the freedom fighters have maintained that “Azad desh ki Ghaas ki roti is better than Paradhinta ki chupdi roti”. However, if Indian authorities believe that there are only handful of people who have their selfish motive in partition of J&K then why not they conduct a referendum (as promised by honorable pt Nehru in UN)?

In the end “one’s terrorist is another’s martyr” and the differentiating factor between both is not the damage caused or the moral stand but rather the victory. Victors are always martyrs and defeated people are always terrorists (even Gandhi was labeled as terrorist by Britain during the Indian national movement).

So what we need is open and honest discussion and equal treatment to all viewpoints rather than merely suppressing the voices that are inimical to “so called Indian interests”. After all India belongs to all and not to few.

I am 3, Transporter 3. (A caricature remix of Bond and Bourne)

2009-01-28T16:51:00.003+05:30

First there was Bond, then came the Bourne(my personal favorite) which was later followed by our own "Transporter". The first movie as quite entertaining because of the normality of the plot as it was about a person who delivers,that to without any fuss. But from the second edition and onwards he idea started to lose its edge because of its superficial characterization of the protagonist and one line plots. Andthis is the point where Frank Martin (aka The Transporter)is different from James Bond as well as Jason Bourne. Therefore, transporter series comes out as a caricatured version of other similar movie series.

Now coming back to the current movie "Transporter 3", all one gets is an action flick with some cool martial art moves and some adrenaline pumping "car stunts" but nowhere the movie lift itself from being a mediocre action movie. Basically the problem with the movie is that it never answers some vital questions such as:

Who is this Frank Miller? What is his past?
Why he is doing all this transportation stuff, especially when he is being portrayed as a good soul?
Why the hell some odd goons trust him for some small package delivery especially when they seem very much capable and resourceful by themselves and given the past track record of Frank where he had proved himself as a "Black knight in shining Armour"?
Above all, how many times one can actually convert a single line plot into a full-length movie?

Our Frank Miller tries to copy the elegance, style and resourcefulness of Bond and hand-to-hand combat kills and doggedness of Bourne so as to better both. However, he falls short of both of these characters. So in the end we are left with a B grade movie that has been publicized as well as packaged like an A grade movie.

Indian versus International Movies

2009-01-28T16:26:00.005+05:30

Let’s get first thing first and that is "Indian movies cannot compete at international level". It can not happen because international movies do not accept any commercial compulsions (at least not as rigidly as Indian movies) and thus stays true to the plot and basic premise and try for a realistic portrayal of its characters. However, Indian movies are soaking wet with commercial compulsions of our Indian cinema such as

The 180 minutes movie length (so as to give paisa vasool to the public),
Heroine (to bring sex appeal to the movie otherwise movie will labeled as "ekdum thunda") and amazingly a movie may get labeled as “Experimental” merely by the fact that it does not have a female protagonist,
Love angle (not the little bit of romance rather full blown, in your face, absolutely clearly defined Love angle) but the makers somehow forget the basic premise of romance “subtler it is, better it is”
A clear cut defined, all-evil villain (to allow viewers to project their hatred and frustration to a particular character and feel catharsis of their own violent urges while watching

Him destroying a good and settled person’s Life in the initial reels (we all derive a kind of pervert subconscious pleasure in witnessing pain and suffering, after all that’s why snuff is having such a hard-to-be-believed following)
Him getting destroyed by the protagonist, under the revenge-vendetta (we all are animals; basically, and thus have a violent streak in us. No denial to that)

Making movies for utterly wrong reasons. Indian movie makers make movies not because they had found such a compelling and interesting story that should be told (in a commercially successful manner, off course!) rather for

Launching some star son or star daughter by showcasing all that he/she can do under the guise of a story and that’s why we have so many of unnecessary dance, action and emotional sequences in many of the movies
Making some easy money by making a scene by scene copy of some successful (not original/creative) movie under the guise of fancy jargons such as “remake of xyz” (used by the honest movie makers), “influenced by xyz” (used by those who still have some decency left in them) and “never heard of/viewed xyz” (used by the majority of these empty headed businessmen as they are not movie makers per se)
Showcasing some superstar’s rivalry with another superstar (I would love to place Ghajini under this heading)

Apart form 150+ minutes movie length, 2 other compulsions are my personal worst-offs:

SONGS: I am not against having soundtrack but what really Pisses me off is the have a bizarre song and dance sequence, out of the blues, at most unexpected and inappropriate times. Again, this compulsion is so strong that merely absence of songs can make a movie experimental.
HAPPY ENDING: We Indian like to go home with leaving the movie behind, at the theater. After all, sweets are integral part of Indian styled celebrations and to an average middle class. family, movie watching (200+ Rs @person) is a kind of celebration

Now coming back to a our discussion that why Indian movies cannot compete at international level, I find there is one other reason that we are tied down to present and thus do not explore much of our past as well as probable future. On the other hand, international movies have gone up to 10000 BC and had imagined the future up till 4000 AD or so. This range of time had given them more flexibility as well as novelty when it had come to the stories.

So a nutshell if we have to ensure that people take notice of our moviemaking than we had to get rid of these compulsions and have to make ourselves more flexible and probing so as to dig new stories and have to think of new ways of telling them.

Any comments???

Ghajini: Memento meets Cindrella

2009-01-28T16:12:00.005+05:30

In totality, it is a good movie. It's a movie that was not only successfully made but also successfully promoted. Though, there is always some anticipation associated with Amir's movies as most of the time he promotes the movie through many channels and for many days and Ghajini was not an exception. Since last one year, he had walked and talked about Ghajini. And as if it is not enough, he had offered a scheme along with the offer, "watch the movie and watch the newly chisled body of Amir for free". The movie was properly made and infact better made than the original Ghajini (which was overly dramatic in its treatment). The climax of the movie is different from the original one and is far better.

The new face of the movie, Asin, came as surprise package and she not only looked great but also acted nicely. The background score is well executed and is able to hold the mood as well as to engage the audience. However, the songs are too many and are at wrong times and except "Guzarish", most of them failed to create any lasting impact on the audience.

Now comes the action that is the greatest part of the movie and is thoroughly well executed. The action choreography was done brilliantly and was completely able to convey the anguish and frustration of Amir. The action sequences are well executed and for the first time (Ghulam can be treated as an exception) Amir looked convincing when he beats up a whole lot of bad guys that are too many and too big for man of his size. Amir had not only sculpted a good body but also presented it nicely on the screen.

However, the most entertaining and soul touching part of the movie was not the climax but rather the comic as well as emotional scenes between Amir and Asin. The soft, funny and soul touching Cinderella type love story of A business tycoon (Amir) and a gold hearted, beautiful looking middle-class girl (Asin) was so brilliantly written and executed that I felt that it had all the potential for a separate movie. However, the another Highpoint of the movie is that the way both sides and stories of Amir, pre and post the murder of his beloved, were told. The alternative narrating style was well executed and able to build suspense.

Despite all the good things I have written about the movie I am very sorry to say that "Ghajini is not Memento", it just cannot be. Basically Ghajini is just another love & revenge drama that has Amir in it. That is what the movie is and it never lift itself beyond that (though the potential was there). The only difference this movie has with other love and revenge dramas is that here the male protagonist is amnesiac. Sadly though, Amir acted below his standards and most of the time he acted as if there is no difference between being mentally retarded and being amnesiac. No Sir, they are not just one and the same thing. He had used too many stupid head moments and tilts, strange stares, acted unnecessarily confused and walk with abnormal gait.

The movie never attempts to explore the plight of an amnesiac. Only thing that it ever attempts to show that the male protagonist is suffering from anterograde amnesia that it gave Amir one or two scenes in which he forgets about his current past. Surprisingly, tatoos that have played an important part in the classic "Memento" are of no use in Ghajini, except for acting as an excuse to show how beefed up our Amir had become (come on Amir, stop this pseudo-rivalry of you and Sharukh, you are better than him even with both your hands tied down behind your back and a mask on your face).

Basically this movie has disappointing me more than anyone else as after this I had started to believe that Amir is more of interested in making movies that look different rather than being actually different, otherwise there could not have been so many holes in the script and treatment. All the time that he wasted on shaping up himself and subtly promoting the movie could have been utilised in making the movie more realistic and deeper (without actually losing its commercial value).

So, my verdict is, watch the movie for Asin and when you come back then rent "Memento", watch it and then calculate how high Christopher Nolan stands than A.R. Murugadoss.

One More Time Akshay goes to Alien Land: Chandni Chowk to China

2009-01-28T16:05:00.004+05:30

I really don't know what had gotten to our producers, directors and stars as most of their time is wasted on promoting movie for things that are either absent or not actually worthy of promotion. CC2C is doing the same thing again. There is no problem in promoting a movie but what actually hurts me most is that these movies creates so much hype that every movie going soul becomes eager to have a "dekkho" and after their tryst with the movie before they can forewarn any of the other people, the movie collects a fortune and hailed as a commercial success. Now as you all know, our beloved Bollywood is slave of box office thus before the "janta" can say that what a bullsh*t movie it was, similar kind of movies will not only be announced but also will go on floor. this makes industry blind to good and experimental scripts and it keeps on churning out Hollywood's garbage with the thinking that our audience like this kind of movie.

Now coming back to CC2C, it is one of many travel stories in which Akki baba goes to Alien land to spread the "great Indian culture". In "Namste London", he went to London to rescue a confused damsel, in "Sinng is Kinng" he saved his friend from the clutches of organized crime and now he is saving a Chinese town from the wrath of a Villain named Hojo. What I am unable o understand is that why to set a movie in foreign location even if the same story can be told in India? Except making it sellable in foreign territories, I don't see any benefit whatsoever.

Apart from this the movie suffers from editorial negligence as at least 40-45 mins of movie could have and should have been edited to make the film interesting. In absence of that, after the initial 15 mins of movie, the movie becomes repetitive and boring. The main reason behind that they had put the same people (Akshay, Deepika, Ranbir and Hojo) in various situations again and again that too in a non creative way. Apart from that movie has only 3 main locations, Chinese village, Hojo's Hideout and the Great Wall of China. Same people in same locations with a one-line story, end product is a silly movie that takes itself very seriously.

Another Low point of movie is its songs as non of them is too hummable and are forgotten (along with the movie) as soon as one walks out of theater. Amazingly, the transformation and training of Akshay that has to be the highest point of the movie where audiences get connect with the anger. Frustration and emotions of the protagonist (remember ROCKY SERIES I-VI) is the totally non-happening last 1/2 hour where all of your hopes of compensating bad comedy with a good action, vanishes. So all I want to say is that all those who are looking for action, watch dubbed Chinese "kangfoo" (I don't know why Akshay pronounce kunfu as kangfoo?).

Actors like Ranbir Shauri and Mithun are completely wasted as their roles were stereotyped and boring. Deepika fought well and convincingly for a bollywood heroine but hers double role was a completely non starter and she could not impress me. Chinese Villain Hojo (Chia Hui Liu) was portrayed as menacing but nowhere he looked or acted that evil, even his martial art skills were neither explored nor used. Both Chia Hui Liu and Roger Yuan (Father of Deepika) are very good Martial artist but Alas! What a Waste?

Basically CC2C fails as a action movie also as most the stunts are "visibly wired" thus lacks authenticity. Above that, the camera work was not that good as most of the time it fails to convey the ferocity or skill level of the fighters. On the other hand, Akshay has limited talent for Action, Comedy and Acting and by churning out movies after movies he is over streching himself as well as his fan base. What he actually need is to take a rest and wait for a Script, a real script.

So my verdict is: Do something else but don't go to theaters rather I have a better suggestion for you, Watch Sita aur Gita/ Chaalbaaz along with a Chinese martial art movie (Snake in Monkey's Shadow is my pick) at the comfort of your home. I promise you'll thank me..

Life is Nothing without an Impossible Dream: Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-28T16:01:00.004+05:30

What is worse, being Poor or being labeled as Poor?

This movie explores this question though an innovative narrative style in which life of a slum dweller, Jamal is explored through a series of question and answers. The treatment of movie is realistic and it successfully conveys the adventures and plight of an intelligent yet resource depleted slum dweller. I am saying adventures because plight and misfortunes of poor people is treated as adventure by the privileged section of the society. Most of the movies try to glamorize poverty and had tried to portray poor and rich people in a way where all the humanity is ascribed to poor people whereas all the selfishness and evils are ascribed to the rich people.

This cliché representation of poor people had long pained me but “Slumdog Millionaire” had been true in its depiction of characters. Here you will instantly fall in love with the characters of Jamal, His brother Salim and his love interest Lathika. All of them are so real that you may even feel as if you have seen these kinds of people around you. Similarly most of the social evils related with poverty are so intensely told that they create both warmth as well as disgust in you.

Now coming back to movie, Anil Kapoor and Irfan are true to their character portrayal as the Game show host and Police Inspector and are able to invoke the relevant emotions. Anil is especially good as a host who never wants to share limelight with anyone except himself. The scenes involving his confusion when he vacillates between being good human by acknowledging the guts and talent of Jamal and his frustration when he realize that a slumdog is stealing the limelight from him are marvelous. These scenes depict the mentality of most of us who like poor and are philanthropic as well socialist but only till their own resource are not under question. This show our attitude towards poor that “I love poor but only when it is played by Sharukh Khan”.

The background score is good though I believe that it is not the best of A R Rahman but as long as it gets us international acclaim, I will not complain.

The Dev Patel as Jamal, Madhur Mittal as Salim and Freida Pinto as Lathika are outstanding. However, I liked the character of Salim more than Jamal as he portrays the true gray shade of humanity, neither pure evil nor pure Good. But I believe that Sanjay Manjhrekar as the mafia boss Javed was under utilized by the director as he could have deliverd more and better.

In the end we get a story that tells us about a gutsy and good being, Jamal who despite all odds, answers few questions to win his sweetheart from the clutches of Goons despite the fact that no one expect the commoners want him to win. It shows the snobbish attitude of the privileged class who never wants to allow a slum dweller to be a part of their society. However, the it’s the triumph of Jamal that restores an “Aam Adami’s” hope in future and thus makes his otherwise unbearable life, livable.

Kudos to Danny Boyle (I liked his “28 Days Later” also) for showing us our double standards and making Jamal win 2 million Rupees despite all Odds. After all “Zindgi Kucch nahi Ek Namumkin Sapne ke Bina”.

Decision Making: The Human Factor

2007-08-14T13:05:00.001+05:30

Life is all about decision making. One who never made any decision can not and should not claim that he knows much about life as well about himself. In most cases we have to take decisions about sharing a scarce resource among two or more conflicting demands (if resources are abundant then there can not be true decision making as in that case all the demands can be fulfilled without conflict). And the way in which we allot the scarce resources among these demands determine what kind of person we are. Thus we come to know about life and ourselves only when we have to make a choice. When we are exposed to those options that are more life-influencing and major then we understand more about ourselves during the decision making thus A person understand himself completely and truly in case of Life threatening situations. May be that's why they say that war brings out the true character of a person.

A matter very much related to this topic is our ability to make Wrong Choices. In my opinion unless and until a person is allowed to make mistakes he neither can take a decision in true sense nor can learn anything from the decision. Thus when there is more probability of making wrong choices and more damaging the wrong choices can be, more stressful the decision making becomes and thus brings out the true character of a person. Ironically we all like not to make decisions because of the responsibility attached with that decision. Though we are very much ready to take the responsibility of a Good Decision but we don't want to own the credit of a Bad Decision. However, there can't a decision without a single percent probability of failure thus we tend to play safe and run away from the decision making process altogether and so from the responsibility.

But as Satre has rightly asserted that we can not run away from either the decision making or the responsibility so the way out might be to make decisions and take the responsibility. If decision goes good then it's OK and if the decision goes wrong then at least you learn about life. After all Failures teach more and better then Success.

Sanjay Dutt: A Criminal or A Victim

2007-08-02T18:14:00.000+05:30

Well! Media and People have gone hyper since the moment Sanjay Dutt was sentenced for Six Years. People are hailing this as a Victory of Justice and Congratulating the Judge for remaining Impartial despite the Pressure. But in my opinion not only the current verdict but also the role of media is completely partial. Sanjay Dutt was victimized and paid the price of his celebrity status by getting a disproportionate punishment. He was used as a Poster Boy by the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies to showcase their impartiality and penchant for the justice. The Same Judiciary and law enforcement agencies which could not bring to the Book all those Tainted Ministers and Hi-Profile Criminals, who remain free despite the full proof evidences.

Sanjay Dutt was sacrificed on the alter of an All-Corrupt-Social-System where the punishment is delivered for taking vengeance rather than to reform the wrong-doer. He became victim of our inner pervert dark urge to see all the powerful and successful suffer. We secretly want to see the celebrities suffer so as to make them understand the common man’s plight. But then the Basic tenet of Justice was forgotten and that is to give punishment in proportion to the Crime. Now let me ask How many people keep Illegal Arms in India? The Figure is in Millions. But then what happen to all of them. Nothing. Ok let me Rephrase, how many reputed and law abiding Law Makers (Netas) have illegal arms not to say private army of their own? Again the answer in not in Single Digit. So why to single out Dutt and Punish with Life Sentence? Yes! Life Sentence because if you take Six years out of Dutt’s Life then practically you are ruining his entire career and thus his Life.

Don’t Get me Wrong I am not saying that what Dutt did was not a crime but what all I am Saying is that His Punishment is more severe then What he deserved. People are arguing about his criminal intentions behind him having a weapon but then was not that a result of complete loss of faith in the law enforcement machinery? Was not that a complete failure of our system to provide him the feeling of Security? What any one of us could have done in the similar situation? May be the same thing or May be not? But can’t we try to understand his Logic? Should not we see his case with Sympathy as After that single incidence he never tried to break the law rather he did all in his capacity to further the good work started by his Father.

By the way, Why a person is put behind bars? One of the prime reasons is to save the society from the person for a time being. Now Let me ask What benefit did society will get out of Dutt’s Six Year imprisonment. Nothing. On the contrary what so ever charitable work he was doing will take a beating. So in end society will be Worse off then being Better Off.

What’s the way out now? May be he should be granted clemency from the president. May be he can be asked to do Social Service for a Period. May be he can he given Lesser sentence, say of two years (he already had served 16 months in prison). Or May be Same Sentence can be carried out ruining him and snatching away from the society A Good Samaritan and a Fine Actor.

After all, according to Aristotle,

Justice is to treat equals Equally and Unequal unequally.

Coming of Age Movie:

2007-07-23T14:03:00.000+05:30

Keeping up the trend of All Super Heros Movies, Latest edition of Harry Potter is also Low on Visual effects But High on the Good Story Telling with lots of Emotion. Like SpiderMan, Harry is also digging deep within himself so as to keep the faith alive (especially when all the friends are doubting him and he is being tortured ). This new avatar of Harry is more humane and thus closer to reality and thus easy to identify. Not only the Color Tones but also the Mood of the movie is GRAY but this is a brighter shade of Gray. Not only the characters but also the Harry Potter series have achieved puberty as both are nicely maturing with the time.

Movie definitely has a universal appeal and thus will be enjoyed by wider audience. Radcliff had shown the ability to express the agony of an unwilling Hero and that is a sign of his development along with the series. But the Real Show stealer is Imelda Staunton, whose portrayal of the character of Dolores Umbridge is impeccable. She lived up to the name of her character (The name Dolores is derived from the Latin word dolour, or pain, and the name itself means "Lady of Sorrows", possibly reflecting her sadistic nature and the misery caused by her actions). Her Fragile and Soft appearance, when juxtaposed against her inner cruel nature, creats such a aghast against her that clearly shows her talent.

In NutShell take your Kids and Go Along to enjoy more mature, more dark, more humane, more Harry Potter. You’ll Love it.

What we want?

2007-06-22T16:39:00.001+05:30

Million Dollar Question.

In order to be happy and satisfied with Life then this question assumes utmost importance. If one comes to know what he wants then achieving that aim is not that complicated because then he can divert all his energy towards that aim. However most of the times we are not sure what we want. We oscillate between various aims and ultimately fail to achieve all of them.

So if one does not want to end up as an Eternal Loser then he should find out what exactly is desired by him. To achieve this understanding he should ask himself two questions:

What I want?
Do I really want this or I am under some external influence?

Here the second question is very tricky as there are so many instances when one tend to like something because other people like it or one is expected to like it. For example, one may assume that money acquisition is his aim due the fact that all of his friends are Money-Minded. Similarly if one is good in academics then he can wrongly believe that "his" aim is be a Civil Servant but may be he never wanted that and as every one expects from him to be "Someone Big" and in India that generally means "District Magistrate". Some times arrogance and stupidity can also make you believe that you like some particular goal. For example, I started to prepare for Civil Services merely because I wanted to prove my academic supremacy over my friends. Now some may call this stupidity some may say it is arrogance but to me it is arrogance with more than a pinch of stupidity.

But somehow one solves the first two problems and somehow delineates that what he want and also becomes doubly sure that he actually wants this without any outside pressures and expectations still the problem remains. This time the source of problem is basic human nature. Human Nature is Dynamic and it simply changes. So it is a very realistic scenario that one may like something but during the process of achieving that he realizes that his world view, vision, aim and interests have changed and now he desires some other Goal (sometimes this new goal can be tangentially opposite to the earlier Goal). Though he can be charged of having fickle and confused mind but in reality both of his goals are equally real and honest, they got changed not because of immaturity but rather because some new variable or understanding has made way into his Grand understanding about Life.

Similarly one other problem may arise that is also very much an outcome of human nature. "More a dream seems achievable. Less desirable it becomes." Closer we become to a desired object, more of its negative aspects become pronounced to us. This dilutes the desirability of goal. If one can't understand that this dip in desirability of "once-so-Cherished-Dream" is very natural then this can cause so much resentment and pain to the person. This also affects (weakens) person's resolve and efforts toward the goal. This makes the goal achievement difficult and interestingly these increased difficulties make the goal interesting again. This process of oscillation in desirability of goal may be repeated many times and each time causes wasteful efforts. Repetition depends on how real, true and basic the goal is to the person and Very Real. True and Basic goals show less oscillation. It leads less wastage of efforts, efforts that would have been wasted in case of Phony, imposed or Copied Goals.

So I think one should first decide what he really wants and then only venture to achieve his dreams. Easier said then done, off course, afterall the biggest and toughest journey is the Journey into Self.

The Biggest Fear

2007-06-20T02:24:00.000+05:30

The Biggest Fear is of

Losing the Loved Ones (be it Objects, Situations,
Events, Persons, Ideas etc.).

And I Think that this is the Basis of All our Fears including Death..

Think About it...

Happy Blogging

Tough Times: Friends are Important

2007-06-20T02:12:00.001+05:30

People say "In Tough Times, Man is Alone" but to me "Time feels Tougher Only When Person is Alone". So my understanding is opposite of common understanding.

It's not that during tough times all the significant people leave the person alone but in my opinion the time is felt as very tough because all the significant persons had already Left the person. And if they had not left the person then the Guy would have handled the situation and never felt the burnt.

So My Fellow Brethren, keep your Friends Closer as in crucial times they the Only thing that can and will make a difference between How Threatening A Situation May seem to Us.

In the Same Context you'll appreciate the fact that despite all the scarcity of Resources, India has a Lower percentage of Psychological Abnormalities. One of the reasons for that is that we have a very strong SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM. So always-intruding-society of ours has a beneficial effect also.

This also implies that Give your friend A Little More time as that is a sort of Investment which will have great returns in Turbulent Times (After all, All the Great investments are supposed to help us in Tough Times).